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messages for: English Roadster Discussions

ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by: Erikon 1/20/2010 at 12:08:29 AM

I was looking at Rideable Bicycle Replicas Old English roadster and can't figure out who makes it. I called the place and only got "It was made in China." Apparently they don't know who made it. So the question is who did? It does not have a Raleigh Style fork crown, seems to no have a headtube badge or any other markings that would give a clue as to who made it.

My eyes are not well trained to know Chinese roadsters but I think it is not a Flying Pigeon. Maybe a Forever?

Any way here is the link if anyone wants to look and guesshttp://www.hiwheel.com/antique_replicas/gent_roadster.htm by: 24.143.47.15

Replies:RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by JS on 1/20/2010 at 1:42:45 AM

Trust me...it's Indian. The seat is a dead give away.

Not a Flying Pigeon, or Forever, Hong Qi

If you want to see more about Chinese and Indian Roadsters, just check out my blog:

http://www.flyingpigeonproject.org

-JS by: 193.23.43.5

RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by Erik on 1/20/2010 at 1:24:36 PM

Thanks, I should have considered the seat more carefully. I have never seen a seat like that on a Chinese roadster.

by: 24.143.54.187

RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by Corey K on 1/22/2010 at 6:47:28 PM

I too have spoken to them about that bike (they're about 1.5 hours drive from me). They say it's Chinese, but it looks Indian to me, too. That fork crown looks like a 50s-60s Phillips. I'd be curious to see if the chainwheel is imprinted with Hercules or Phillips, myself. The Flying Pigeons and Phoenixes I've seen in person all had the Raleigh-type tubular crown. Next time I'm in Alameda, I'll try to check in on it and report back. by: 76.126.56.178

RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by Corey K on 1/22/2010 at 10:41:41 PM

I just went on the Phoenix Bicycle web page, and they show a bike nearly identical to the one on the Rideable Replicas page. Perhaps those folks are putting Indian hairpin saddles on Chinese bikes?

RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by Erik on 1/23/2010 at 9:08:07 AM

Thanks Corey, if you could find out what they are that would be awesome. The thing is, there are so many people making roadsters in India and China that, I don't think we will ever be able to tell who made these bikes without seeing them in person. Their photos are just to vague.

I would be excited to learn that these are something other than the ubiquitous pigeon, which I think we have established. The guy I talked who claimed these bikes are made in china actually went to the warehouse and read what was on the box the bike came in. The problem with that story is I can't believe that a company would not put their branding on the box their product comes in. Or maybe it is but he can't read Chinese but, that begs the question why would made in china be on the box in English but not the brand. by: 24.143.43.8

RE:ENGLISH ROADSTERS: for JS or others in the knowposted by JS on 1/26/2010 at 7:03:07 AM

Erik-

Well, maybe it IS from China, but the seat is from India? Again, I have only seen that seat style once in China...and it was on an Indian bike.